When you and your guests first step out on to your new deck, or look at your new fence you want to know everything that needed to be researched has been, and you want to feel safe and proud. When you talk to us at Gooding Timber and Hardware you’ll soon understand that you were wise to take the time to get it right! Here’s some helpful building tips to remember: Any renovation big or small needs planning in advance including a renovation budget. A budget is an essential tool that will give you a clear idea of what you can afford to spend on your building project or home improvement. Keep costs under control by keeping things simple. Choosing standard sized fittings and using building material that tradesmen are familiar with an can easily access, will help to prevent cost blow-outs. Break down big jobs into small jobs, your renovation doesn’t have to be completed in one go. If your overall project seems overwhelming either for your lifestyle or your budget just take things one job at a time. It pays to plan carefully for the availability of skilled tradespeople. Many parts of the building industry virtually shut down in January for example, so you could find it hard to track down a tradie. There are some TV programs that make replacing a kitchen or adding an extra bedroom look quick and easy, but don’t fall for that big jobs and major renovations take time and money. Arrange a building inspection before you start renovating, a professional building inspection will confirm if your home is structurally sound and able to support your planned improvements, particularly if your project involves adding a second storey. Labour costs are likely to eat up a solid chunk of your renovation budget – usually around 30% of the total expense so shop around for quotes. A building project can seem like a huge task, there is so much information to gather and detailed plans to prepare. Our promise to you is a simple one! Not only are we here at Gooding Timber and Hardware to help you build better. We guarantee to support you in every way to make sure your build is designed just the way you imagined it.